Gabriel & Co. is proud to maintain its esteemed reputation as an independent jewelry designer and manufacturer. Established in 1989 in New York City, Gabriel & Co. is a renowned presence in the world of jewelry.

October Birthstones: Opal & Tourmaline

Saturday, September 30, 2017 6:56:00 AM America/New_York

Happy birthday month, October babies!

You are very lucky to have two birthstones to choose from – opal and tourmaline. Keep reading to learn about these gems.

OPAL:

Opal is a colorful gemstone that many associate with luck. It was originally discovered in Australia, which supplies 95% of the world’s opals. This gem is characterized by its flecks of rainbow colors, known as “play of color”. The word “opal” actually comes from the Greek word “opallios”, which means “to see a change in color” (Ref: American Gem Society).

Some opals show every color, whereas some show mainly blues and greens. The highest quality opals have the most vivid play of color. According to the Gemological Institute of America, red is considered highly desirable in opals.

Opals themselves come different colors—the most common have a white background (or “body" color), as shown in the ring above, but there are opals that are blue, black, and even bright orange. This estate ring features a 5.06ct orange opal set with diamonds in rose and white gold:Shop now - Click the photo!

Opals are not very hard stones, ranging just 5.5 – 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, whereas diamond, the hardest stone, is 10. This means that opals can crack from an impact with a hard surface, or when exposed to high temperatures. While they’re not recommended for engagement rings, opals are a beautiful choice for various types of fashion jewelry, from rings and earrings, to bracelets and pendants. Shop our collections in-store and online!

TOURMALINE

Tourmaline is the other birthstone for October. It's a beautiful gemstone that comes in all different colors—green, pink, blue, red, and yellow, among many other colors. Some believe that tourmaline has the power to give you strength, ward off evil energy, as well as inspire creativity. Next time you’re facing writer’s block or need an idea, try wearing some tourmaline jewelry!Estate green tourmaline and diamond ring. Shop now - Click the photo!

Some tourmalines showcase more than one color, like this bi-color tourmaline ring from our estate collection:

Bi-color tourmaline and diamond ring. Shop now - Click the photo!

Tourmaline is harder than opal, landing around 7 – 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. This makes it a great choice for different types of jewelry.

Shop our collections of birthstone jewelry in-store and online. If you need gift ideas, give us a call or reach out to us on social media and we'll be glad to help!

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Posted By

Beckers Jewelers

About Us

In 1978, Paul & Risa Becker opened Becker's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry in West Hartford, CT. Paul & Risa's mission was to make customers happy and to give the Make It Perfect or "Wow" experience...
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